Penicillium funiculosum mutant strain

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel micro-organism,  Penicillium funiculosum,  to new enzymes mixture obtained from it and nucleic acid sequences thereto.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/462,246, filed Apr. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,101, which is a filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application PCT/IB99/00856, filed May 6, 1999 and published in English as WO 99/57325 on Nov. 11, 1999, which claims priority to European Patent Application Serial No. EP9840101.5, filed on May 6, 1998. The contents of these three parent applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel micro-organism, new enzymes and new enzymes mixture. In addition, the present invention relates to the composition of the enzymes mixture its preparation and its use in feed, food and other industries including but not limited to the paper industry and the textile industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Enzymes have been used for a long time for a variety of different industrial applications. Examples are known in the baking industry, in the wine and fruit juices industry (where enzymes are used to break down pectins and β-glucans), in the textile industry (where cellulases are used to obtain soft and smooth cellulosic fabrics) and also, which is not the least application, for animal feed. In this case the enzymes improve the digestibility of vegetable sources.

This last use enables the livestock to digest feed more efficiently. The value of a feed can be measured by the FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio), a nutritive ratio of the amount of feed consumed relative to the weight gain of the animal. A decrease in FCR, for a feed. indicates the animal gains proportionately more weight for a given quantity of feed; i.e. the animal is able to utilize the feed more efficiently.

Poor digestibility of the feed components (starch, fat, protein/amino acids) is a noted feature of cereal-based feeds and, for example, particularly those containing a high barley or wheat content. In these cases it may be necessary to formulate the teed to contain higher levels of energy from other sources and other supplements such as amino acids. These enzymes increase the Apparent Metabolizable Energy value of the cereals incorporated into the feed.

Another approach to resolve this problem has been to add enzyme supplements, cellulases, endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanases (β-glucanases), endo-1,4-β-xylanases (xylanases) etc., or mixtures of enzyme activities, to these cereal-based feeds. Enzyme supplements may have a specific use to hydrolyze the B-glucans, or to hydrolyze the arabinoxylans, found in the cereals (typically barley and wheat). The addition of enzymes has different goals. One advantage which clearly proves the efficacy of feed enzyme supplements is the reduction in viscosity of materials in the gut of the animals which receive cereal-based feed containing the appropriate enzyme supplement. The higher viscosity is due, in part, to β-glucans and arabinoxylans found in barley and wheat. The lower viscosity, resulting from enzyme action, permits an easier absorption of nutritional components in the animal's gut. The other advantage is the release of nutrients entrapped by the cell walls of the cereals decreasing the requirement for other costly feed supplements. Overall the result is a significant reduction in the cost of the feed with a similar or beneficial effect as measured by the FCR.

Enzymes preparations originating from a range of different micro-organisms have been described to improve feed digestibility.

If we consider prior art related to the use of enzymes in the animal feed we can mention the European Patent No 0.699.762 which describes use of a phytase issued from Schwanniomyces occidentalis. This phytase is a phytase obtained from genetically modified organism obtained by including cloned gene that we would like to avoid in the present invention.

It we consider the WO 95/26398 patent application, again a modified cellulase is obtained by inclusion of foreign DNA sequence in an host cell which modifies the nature of the original strain which is chosen in the following list of micro-organisms : Bacillus, Streptomyces, Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Aspergillus. In the present invention our main aim was to avoid foreign gene inclusion in the micro-organism which is the producer of the enzyme.

In the WO 96/05739 patent application, a mixture of enzymes (xylanase, protease and, optionally, β-glucanase) is obtained from different micro-organisms. The authors give example (page 5) of enzymes mixture with a ratio of xylanase activity to β-glucanase activity of the order of 1:5. It has been found that when a xylanase is included in a cereal-based diet at or around its optimum dosage level, the co-presence of enzymes possessing β-glucanase activity increases the FCR of the feed which is of course disadvantageous. Consequently the authors advise against the presence of β-glucanase, they recommend a maximum ratio of xylanase activity to β-glucanase activity of 1:0-0.25.

In some cases, in order to ensure all the enzyme activities relevant to the feed application are present, preparations are made up from preparations from more than one micro-organism. In a number of cases the enzyme preparations have been obtained from microorganisms subjected to genetic modification using recombinant DNA techniques.

We have discovered and developed a new micro-organism belonging to the class of Penicillium funiculosum, that contains new enzymes and a mixture of enzyme activities which can be used successfully to increase mainly the digestibility of cereal-based animal feeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a new micro-organism derived from Penicillium funiculosum and a method for cultivating this micro-organism and for recovering the enzymes produced by this micro-organism.

In addition, in accordance with this invention, there are provided new enzymes issued from this micro-organism, nucleic acid sequences therefrom and new compositions containing those enzymes.

Further, in accordance with this invention, there is provided a method for improving the digestibility of aminoacids and cereal-based animal feeds and amino acids.

Another subject of the present invention is the reduction of phosphorus excretion and ammonia excretion from the battery where animals are fed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-B: Penicillium funiculosum xylanase C protein amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1)

FIG. 2: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of xylanase B1 (XynB1) PCR product (SEQ ID NO:5)

FIG. 3: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Feruloyl esterase A (faeA) PCR product (SEQ ID NO:7)

FIG. 4: Penicillium funiculosum Feruloyl esterase B (faeB) protein (FAE-V or FAE-I) amino acid sequence (SEO ID NO:9)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. The New Strain Penicillium funiculosum

This new strain of the fungus Penicillium funiculosum is deposited under the number IMI 378536 in a recognized International Depositary Authority under the Budapest Treaty (1977), the International Mycological Institute (IMI), Bakeham Lane, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK.

Filiation

The new strain has been obtained from Penicillium funiculosum IMI 134756 after successive UV and β-irradiation treatment of spores, including screening on selective media. No genetic modification has been obtained by recombinant DNA techniques using inclusion of foreign DNA or RNA.

Identification and Typing

Penicillium funiculosum IMI 378536 has been characterised by growth on Czapek Dox agar at 25 ° C. Colony characteristics and micro-morphology are typical for Penicillium funiculosum. The identification of the micro-organism as a Penicillium funiculosum has been confirmed at the International Mycological Institute, Bakeham Lane, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK. Growth is as a tough basal felt, with aerial growth, as ropes or bundles of hyphae (funiculose), mycelium is white with underlying red colouration in the substrate, margins are reverse pale but coloured red towards centres and may become deep red. This penicillium is typical, it shows conidiophores short mostly arising from funicles, biverticillate, acerose conidiogenous cells, conidia are elliptical and smooth.

The micro-organism used for the production of the enzyme preparation of this invention is grown under aerobic conditions in a medium which contains cellulose, corn steep liquor, calcium carbonate and ammonium sulphate.

B. Process of Fermentation

This new fungus is manufactured by fermentation of the deposited strain first on a seed medium preferably constituted of (in weight):

corn steep liquor 1% to 4% antifoam just to avoid foam water to 100% NaOH enough to adjust the pH to about pH 3.0 to 6.0 before sterilisation of the medium; Temperature of incubation 27° C. to 36° C.

The production medium has preferably the following constitution (in weight):

corn steep liquor 0 to 4.0% batched and fed cellulose 0.8 to 14% Ca salt, 0 to 0.8% Ammonium sulfate 0 to 1.0% Antifoam just to avoid foam water enough to obtain 100% NaOH enough to adjust the pH to about pH 3.0 to 6.0 before sterilisation of the medium; H₂SO₄ enough to maintain the pH to about 3.0 to 6.0; Ammonia as gas or liquid enough to maintain the pH to about pH 3.0 to 6.0; Temperature of incubation 27° C. to 36° C.

For the fermentation, charge the fermenter with sufficient water, add the ingredients to water in suitable agitated container, stir until the ingredients have dissolved. Sterilise by sealing the fermentor and raising the content to typically 121° C. The fermentation vessel is inoculated with the seed fermenter.

The main source of carbon which is added during the process of fermentation is cellulose; amongst different cellulose sources we prefer to use ARBOCEL, SOLKAFLOC, CLAROCEL, ALPHACEL, FIBRACEL with different grades.

The pH during the fermentation is preferably controlled by the addititon of sulphuric acid, or another acid, and ammonia in gas or liquid form, or another base.

At the end of the fermentation time, eliminate solids by solid-liquid separation such as filtration or centrifugation, collect the liquid phase and concentrate for example by ultrafiltration on organic or mineral membrane.

These enzymes may also be manufactured from means of recombinant DNA technology and thus be produced by recombinant homologous species or heterologous species. The host for the transfer of the gene coding for the enzyme may be selected from a fungal species, a bacterial cell or a plant cell. Any conventional technique may be used to insert the gene encoding the enzyme of interest in the host cell such as plasmids (integrative or not), phage vectors and viral vectors. The Penicillium funiculosum comprising heterologous genes inclusion or modification of the genome with homologous genes by inclusion, deletion or modification of said homologous gene are also part of this invention.

In accordance with the invention the enzyme may be provided as an isolated pure enzyme preparation or as a crude preparation such as the cultivation medium in which Penicillium funiculosum has been grown.

It may be also possible to include this or those enzymes in compositions containing one further enzyme, the type of which depending on the intended use of the composition. The added enzymes may be selected from for example carbohydrases, lipases and proteases.

C. Compositions of the <<Mixture of Enzyme Activities>>

1. Liquid Composition

For liquid composition, after addition of antimicrobial agents measurement of the concentration of enzymes and correct dilution to product strength is carried out.

The preferred composition of the liquid solution by weight is the following:

Microbial products as total organic solids  4%–10% antimicrobial agent 0.005%–0.35%  preferentially 0.01%–0.25% sorbitol 20%–50% eventually antifreezing agents    0–40% more preferably 15%–40% Concentrated filtered fermentation broth 0.3 to 76% Buffered and adjusted to pH 3 to 5

Antimicrobials are chosen from products such as sorbic acid and salts, benzoic acid and salts, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and n-propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, fumaric acid, salts and esters. Salts such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride could also be used.

The most preferred anti-freezing agents are 1,2-propandiol, ethylene glycol, glycerol.

2. Powder Composition

For powder preparations, the concentrated solution obtained is dried with eventually the presence of a carrier. The powder obtained after drying of the concentrated solution in absence of a carrier can be further mixed with a suitable carrier.

The preferred composition of the powder form is the following:

Microbial products as total organic solids 16%–40% Carrier 59%–83% other dried fermentation broth components 1%

Preferred carriers are chosen from wheat flour, starch, gypsum, maltodextrin, corn solids, by-products from cereal processing such as maize grits, wheat middlings, wheat bran, rye tailings, minerals mixture.

$F_{r} = {{\frac{T_{substrate} - T_{water}}{T_{test} - T_{water}}\mspace{14mu} F_{r}} = {\frac{T_{substrate} - T_{water}}{T_{test} - T_{water}}\mspace{14mu}{D.\mspace{14mu}{Enzyme}}\mspace{14mu}{characteristics}}}$

We obtain a new enzymes mixture produced by Penicillium funiculosum. This enzymes mixture contains new enzymes such as cellulases, β-glucanases, xylanases, xylanase accessory enzymes such as arabinofuranosidase and feruloyl esterases.

1. Procedure

The enzyme preparations is characterised by assays that include assays for cellulase, cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase, endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase, laminarinase endo-1,4-β-xylanase (using different substrates), β-xylosidase, arabinofuranosidase and feruloyl esterase (using different substrates) activities.

1.1. Cellulase by DNS CMC Method

The assay for cellulase activity is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a β-1,4 glucan. The products of the reaction, β-1,4 glucan oligosacchandes, are determined by the resulting increase in reducing value (as glucose).

A solution containing 1 ml of a 1% (w/v) CMC solution in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 (or at different pH values); 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 10 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 2 ml of a DNS solution (1% (w/v) 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 1.6% (w/v) sodium hydroxide, 30% (w/v) potassium sodium (+)-tartrate in distilled water). The solution is mixed and placed into a boiling water bath, 95° C. minimum, for 5 minutes then cooled to 25° C. 10 ml distilled water is added to the solution and the absorbance is measured at 540 nm using a 2 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles reducing sugar (as glucose) by comparison with a standard curve for 2 ml of 0.00-0.04% (w/v) glucose solutions treated with DNS solution in an equivalent manner.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the DNS solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of cellulase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole glucose equivalents.min⁻¹ under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0 or other pH).

1.2 Cellobiohydrolase by the p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside Method

The assay of cellobiohydrolase is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside. A product of the reaction, p-nitrophenol is determined calorimetrically.

A solution containing 1 ml of a 0.1% (w/v) p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside in distilled water; 1 ml distilled water; 1 ml 0.2M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0; 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 30 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 4 ml of 0.4M glycine solution. The solution is mixed and cooled to 20° C. The absorbance is measured at 400 nm using a 1 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles p-nitrophenol by comparison with the molar extinction coefficient of p-nitrophenol under these conditions.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the glycine solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of cellobiohydrolase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside per minute under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0).

1.3 β-Glucosidase by the p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside Method

The assay of β-glucosidase is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside. A product of the reaction, p-nitrophenol is determined calorimetrically.

A solution containing 1 ml of a 0.1% (w/v) p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside in distilled water; 1 ml distilled water; 1 ml 0.2M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0; 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 30 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 4 ml of 0.4M glycine solution. The solution is mixed and cooled to 20° C. The absorbance is measured at 400 nm using a 1 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles p-nitrophenol by comparison with the molar extenction coefficient of p-nitrophenol under these conditions.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the glycine solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of β-glucosidase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside per minute under the conditions of the assay (50 ° C. and pH 5.0).

1.4. Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase by the DNS Barley β-glucan Method

An assay for endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds in barley β-glucan, a β-1,3(4)-glucan. The products of the reaction, β-1,3(4)-glucan oligosaccharides, are determined by the resulting increase in reducing value (as glucose).

A solution containing 1 ml of a 1% (w/v) barley β-glucan solution in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 (or at different pH values); 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 10 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 2 ml of a DNS solution (1% (w/v) 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 1.6% (w/v) sodium hydroxide, 30% (w/v) potassium sodium (+)-tartrate in distilled water). The solution is mixed and placed into a boiling water bath, 95° C. minimum, for 5 minutes then cooled to 25° C. 10 ml distilled water is added to the solution and the absorbance is measured at 540 nm using a 2 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles reducing sugar (as glucose) by comparison with a standard curve for 2 ml of 0.00-0.04% (w/v) glucose solutions treated with DNS solution in an equivalent manner.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the DNS solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole glucose equivalents.min⁻¹ under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0 or other pH).

1.5. Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase by the Azo Barley β-glucan Method

An assay for endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of a barley β-glucan which has a bound chromophore (azo-barley β-glucan). The products of the reaction, oligomers that are soluble after ethanol precipitation, are determined by the resulting increase in absorbance at 590 nm.

A solution containing 0.5 ml of azo barley .beta.-glucan substrate (ready-to-use form) and 0.2 ml of enzyme dilution (containing between 0.15 to 0.60 units ml⁻¹ in 0.01M sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.6) was incubated at 30° C. for 20 minutes exactly. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 2.5 ml of Precipitation Solution (containing 18.1 g sodium acetate and 3.0 g zinc mixed in 300 ml of glass distilled water, pH adjusted to pH 5.0 with hydrochloric acid, transfer contents to a 11 volumetric flask and make up to volume with 96% v/v ethanol). The solution is mixed and allowed to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. The solution is transferred in centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 1000 g for 10 minutes in a benchtop centrifuge. The absorbance of the supernatant is measured at 590 nm using a 1 cm path length glass cell.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the Precipitation Solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which hydrolyses the substrate to give an absorbance of 0.820 units at 590 nm, using a standard substrate, under the conditions of the assay (30° C. and pH 4.6).

1.6. Laminarinase (endo-1,3-β-glucanase) by the DNS Laminarin Method

The assay for laminarinase (endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase) activity is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds in laminarin, a β-1,3-glucan. The products of the reaction, β-1,3-glucan oligosaccharides, are determined by the resulting increase in reducing value (as glucose).

A solution containing 1 ml of a 1% (w/v) laminarin solution in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0; 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 10 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 2 ml of a DNS solution (1% (w/v) 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 1.6% (w/v) sodium hydroxide, 30% (w/v) potassium sodium (+)-tartrate in distilled water). The solution is mixed and placed into a boiling water bath, 95° C. minimum, for 5 minutes then cooled to 25° C. 10 ml distilled water is added to the solution and the absorbance is measured at 540 nm using a 2 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles reducing sugar (as glucose) by comparison with a standard curve for 2 ml of 0.00-0.04% (w/v) glucose solutions treated with DNS solution in an equivalent manner.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the DNS solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of laminarinase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole glucose equivalents.min⁻¹ under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0).

1.7. Endo-1,4-β-xylanase by the DNS Birchwood Xylan Method

An assay for endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the xylosidic bonds in birchwood xylan, a β-1,4-xylan. The products of the reaction, β-1,4-xylan oligosaccharides are determined by the resulting increase in reducing value (as xylose).

A solution containing 1 ml of a 1% (w/v) birchwood xylan solution in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 (or at different pH values); 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 10 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 2 ml of a DNS solution (1% (w/v) 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 1.6% (w/v) sodium hydroxide, 30% (w/v) potassium sodium (+)-tartrate in distilled water). The solution is mixed and placed into a boiling water bath, 95° C. minimum, for 5 minutes then cooled to 25° C. 10 ml distilled water is added to the solution and the absorbance is measured at 540 nm using a 2 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles reducing sugar (as xylose) by comparison with a standard curve for 2 ml of 0.00-0,03% (w/v) xylose solutions treated with DNS solution in an equivalent manner.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the DNS solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole xylose equivalents.min⁻¹ under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0 or other pH).

1.8. Endo-1,4-β-xylanase by the DNS Wheat Arabinoxylan Method

An assay for endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the xylosidic bonds in wheat arabinoxylan, an arabinose substituted β-1,4-xylan. The products of the reaction, arabino-β-1,4-xylan oligosaccharides are determined by the resulting increase in reducing value (as xylose).

A solution containing 1 ml of a 1% (w/v) wheat arabinoxylan solution in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 (or at different pH values); 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 10 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 2 ml of a DNS solution (1% (w/v) 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 1.6% (w/v) sodium hydroxide, 30% (w/v) potassium sodium (+)-tartrate in distilled water). The solution is mixed and placed into a boiling water bath, 95° C. minimum, for 5 minutes then cooled to 25° C. 10 ml distilled water is added to the solution and the absorbance is measured at 540 nm using a 2 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles reducing sugar (as xylose) by comparison with a standard curve for 2 ml of 0.00-0,03% (w/v) xylose solutions treated with DNS solution in an equivalent manner.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the DNS solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole xylose equivalents.min⁻¹ under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0 or other pH).

1.9. Endo-1,4-β-xylanase by the Viscometric Wheat Araboxylan Method

An assay for endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of a standard wheat arabinoxylan solution, the activity being determined by the reduction in relative viscosity against time.

A solution containing 1 ml of a 1% (w/v) wheat arabinoxylan solution in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.5 (or at different pH values); 3 ml distilled water and 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution is injected into a Haake microviscometer (using a gold ball calibrated to 0.1-2.0 mpa.s) and the ball drop time (T_(test)) measured (in ms over the defined drop length) every 30 seconds over a period of 15-20 minutes at 30° C. Mean ball drop times are measured for water (5 ml distilled water) and substrate (1 ml of a 1% (w/v) wheat arabinoxylan solution in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.5 and 4 ml distilled water) as T_(water) and T_(substrate) respectively. Controls are measured in an equivalent manner. The relative fluidity (F_(r)) is calculated for each value of T_(test) as follows:

$F_{r} = \frac{T_{substrate} - T_{water}}{T_{test} - T_{water}}$

The slope of a plot of F_(r) against time (the elapsed time at which each measurement of T_(test) is made) is calculated in relative fluidity change per minute ΔF_(r)·min⁻¹) and is proportional to the enzyme concentration. One unit of endo-1,4-.beta.-xylanase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which will hydrolyse the substrate, reducing the viscosity of the solution, to give a change in relative fluidity of 1 (dimensionless unit) min⁻¹ under the conditions of the assay (30° C. and pH 5.5 or other pH).

1.10 β-Xylosidase by the p-nitrophenyl β-D-xylopyranoside Method

The assay of β-xylosidase is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl β-D-xylopyranoside. A product of the reaction, p-nitrophenol is determined colorimetrically.

A solution containing 1 ml of a 0.1% (w/v) p-nitrophenyl β-D-xylopyranoside in distilled water; 1 ml distilled water; 1 ml 0.2M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0: 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 30 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 4 ml of 0.4M glycine solution. The solution is mixed and cooled to 20° C. The absorbance is measured at 400 nm using a 1 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles p-nitrophenol by comparison with the molar extinction coefficient of p-nitrophenol under these conditions.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the glycine solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of xylosidase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenyl β-D-xylopyranoside per minute under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0).

1.11 α-N-Arabinofuranosidase by the p-nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside Method

The assay of α-N-arabinofuranosidase (arabinofuranosidase) is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside. A product of the reaction, p-nitrophenol is determined colorimetrically.

A solution containing 1 ml of a 0.1% (w/v) p-nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside in distilled water,; 1 ml distilled water; 1 ml 0.2M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0; 1 ml of appropriately diluted enzyme solution was incubated at 50° C. for 30 minutes. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of 4 ml of 0.4M glycine solution. The solution is mixed and cooled to 20° C. The absorbance is measured at 400 nm using a 1 cm path length glass cell.

The result is converted to μmoles p-nitrophenol by comparison with the molar extinction coefficient of p-nitrophenol under these conditions.

The observed enzyme reaction absorbance is corrected for non-specific absorbance by carrying out a reaction in which the glycine solution is added to the mixture before the enzyme solution. One unit of arabinofuranosidase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmole p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside per minute under the conditions of the assay (50° C. and pH 5.0).

1.12 Feruloyl Esterase by the FAXX Method

An assay of feruloyl esterase (ferulic acid esterase) is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of O-[5-O-(trans-feruloyl)-.alpha.-L-arabinofuranosyl]-(1.fwdarw.3)-O-.beta.-D-xylopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.4)-D-xyfopyranose (FAXX). FAXX is prepared from enzyme-hydrolysed wheat bran, purified and characterised by NMR. FAXX hydrolysis is measured spectrophotometrically.

The enzyme reaction is followed at 325 nm, using a 1 cm path length cell, in solution containing 0.050 mM FAXX in 0.1 M MOPS buffer, pH 6.0 at 37° C.

One unit of feruloyl esterase activity on FAXX is defined as the amount of enzyme which converts 1 μmole substrate to product per minute under the conditions of the assay (37° C. and pH 6.0).

1.13 Feruloyl Esterase by the Ara₂F Method

An assay of feruloyl esterase (ferulic acid esterase) is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of Ara.sub.2 F (ferulic acid linked 1,2 to arabinose). Ara.sub.2 F is prepared from enzyme-hydrolysed sugar beet pulp, purified and characterised by NMR. Ara.sub.2 F hydrolysis is measured spectrophotometrically.

The enzyme reaction is followed at 325 nm, using a 1 cm path length cell, in solution containing 0.050 mM Ara₂F in 0.1 M MOPS buffer, pH 6.0 at 37° C.

One unit of feruloyl esterase activity on Ara₂F is defined as the amount of enzyme which converts 1 μmole substrate to product per minute under the conditions of the assay (37° C. and pH 6.0).

1.14 Feruloyl Esterase by the Hydrolysis of Methyl Esters: Methyl Ferulic Acid (MFA); Methyl Caffeic Acid (MCA); Methyl Sinapic Acid (MSA); Methyl p-coumaric Acid (MpCA) Methods

An assay of feruloyl esterase (ferulic acid esterase) is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of methyl esters of ferulic acid (MFA), caffeic acid (MCA), sinapic acid (MSA) and p-coumaric acid (MpCA). Methyl ester hydrolysis is measured in 0.1M MOPS buffer, pH 6.0 at 37° C. Assays are based on two different techniques.

In the spectrophotometric method the methyl ester substrate concentration is 0.10 mM and ester hydrolysis is followed at 325 nm using a 1 cm path length cell. In this method the initial substrate concentration is limited.

In the HPLC method, the methyl ester substrate concentration is 1.0 mM and ester hydrolysis is followed at by measuring the release of free acid by HPLC after 10-30 minute intervals. In this method there is no limit over substrate concentration and activities measured are considerably higher than those for the spectrophotometric method.

One unit of feruloyl esterase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme which converts 1 μmole substrate to product per minute under the conditions of the assay (37° C. and pH 6.0).

1.15 Protein Concentration by Modified Bradford Coomassie Blue-binding Protein Assay

The assay of protein concentration is based on the modified Bradford Coomassie blue-binding protein assay using Brilliant Blue G (Coomassie blue) measured in a spectrophotometer at 595 nm using 1 cm light path glass cuvettes. The method (Sigma B 6916) is standardised using Bovine Serum Albumin (Sigma P 0914).

1.16 Isoelectric Point by Isoelectric Focusing

Isoelectric points of proteins are determined by standard methods using pre-cast vertical 5% polyacrylamide gels such as gels from NOVEX® for pH 3-10 (pl performance range 3.5-8.5) or pH 3-7 (pl performance range 3.0-6.5) in the NOVEX® XCell II™ Mini-Cell. NOVEX® cathode, anode and IEF sample buffers for pH 3-10 or pH 3-7 are used. NOVEX® standard protocol for isoelectric focusing, fixing, staining with Coomassie R-250 Blue Stain, and destaining are used.

1.17 SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecylsuiphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis)

Analytical separation and molecular weight determination of proteins are carried out using standard SDS-PAGE methods. Pre-cast NOVEX® NuPAGE™ gels (NuPAGE™ Bis-Tris gels or NuPAGE™ Tris-Acetate gels with NOVEX® recommended running buffers) are used in the NOVEX® XCell II™ Mini-Cell. NOVEX® sample preparation and running buffers, and molecular weight standards are used. NOVEX® standard protocol for SDS-PAGE, fixing, staining with Coomassie R-250 Blue Stain, and destaining are used.

2. Results on the Enzymes Mixture

2.1. Optimal pH

2.1.1. Activity endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase

The assay of endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase from Penicillium funiculosum was carried out under standard conditions at 50° C. using the DNS barley β-glucan method. Enzyme activity was measured between pH 3.0 and pH 7.0. The optimal pH for enzyme activity is pH 4.0-5.0.

Activity pH (IU.ml⁻¹) (%) 3 325 42 4 761 98 5 775 100 6 507 66 7 152 20 2.1.2. Activity endo-1,4-β-xylanase

The assay of endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Penicillium funiculosum was carried out under standard conditions at 50° C. using the DNS birchwood xylan method.

Activity pH (IU.ml⁻¹) (%) 2.0 3559 37 2.6 6700 70 3.0 8411 88 3.0 8113 85 3.5 9582 100 4.0 8523 89 4.0 8510 89 5.0 5544 58 5.5 3522 37 6.0 2190 23 7.0 1103 12 2.2. Optimal Temperature 2.2.1. Activity endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase

The assay of endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase from Penicillium funiculosum was carried out under standard conditions at pH 5.0 (the optimal pH for this enzyme) using the DNS barley β-glucan method. Enzyme activity was measured between 30 and 70° C. The optimal temperature lies between 50 and 60° C. with the greatest activity being measured at 60° C. The results in detail, in the form of a table vs. temperature are given.

Activity Temperature (IU.ml⁻¹) (%) 30 247 32 40 541 70 50 775 100 60 1082 140 70 774 96 2.2.2. Activity endo-1,4-β-xylanase

The assay of endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Penicillium funiculosum was carried out under standard conditions at pH 5.5 and pH 3.5 using the DNS birchwood xylan method. Enzyme activity was measured between 30 and 70° C. The optimal temperature lies between 50 and 60° C. with the greatest activity being measured at 50° C. for pH 5.5 and at 60° C. for pH 3.5. The results in detail, in the form of a table vs. temperature are given.

Temperature Activity (pH 5.5) Activity (pH 3.5) (°C) (IU.ml⁻¹) (%) (IU.ml⁻¹) (%) 30 2492 41 4334 23 40 4042 66 8128 42 50 6107 100 18251 95 60 4602 75 19155 100 70 3851 63 12730 66

Enzymes produced by Penicillium funiculosum have high levels of cellulase, endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase and other glycanolytic activities. In addition, they are also characterised by high levels of endo-1,4-β-xylanase and xylanase accessory enzyme activities The broad spectrum of hemicellulolytic enzymes is a characteristic of enzyme preparations from this micro-organism.

Each activity measured can reported as a ratio to a major activity for that preparation. An example of obtained results is shown in table A. These ratios may change in preparations from different fermentation batches.

TABLE A Relative activities against relevant different substrates Results with Penicillium Methods used in the tests funiculosum Cellulase (DNS CMC method, pH 5.0) [1.1] 3.14 Cellobiohydrolase (p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside 0.022 method, pH 5.0) [1.2] β-Glucosidase (p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucobiopyranoside method, 0.157 pH 5.0) [1.3] Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase (DNS barley β-glucan method, pH 5.0) 7.23 [1.4] Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase (azo-barley β-glucan method, pH 4.6) 1+/− [1.5] Laminarinase (DNS laminarin method, pH 5.0) [1.6] 0.30 Endo-1,4-β-xylanase (DNS birchwood xylan method, pH 3.5) 9.16 [1.7] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase (DNS wheat arabinoxylan method, pH 3.5) 8.67 [1.8] Endo 1,4-β xylanase (viscometric wheat arabinoxylan method, 9.80 pH 5.5) [1.9] β-Xylosidase (p-nitrophenyl β-D-xylobiopyranoside method) 0.0047 [1.10] α-N-Arabinofuranosidase (p-nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside 0.0017 method) [1.11] Feruloyl esterase (FAXX method) [1.12] 0.000254 Feruloyl esterase (Ara₂F method) [1.13] 0.000349 Feruloyl esterase (MFA spectrophotometric method) [1.14] 0.000135 Feruloyl esterase (MCA spectrophotometric method) [1.14] 0.000174 Feruloyl esterase (MSA spectrophotometric method) [1.14] 0.000049 Feruloyl esterase (MpCA spectrophotometric method) [1.14] 0.000216 3—Properties of Components in the Enzyme Mixture 3.1. Purification Methods Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography

The preparation obtained after filtration and concentration of the fermentation medium, to 112.6 mg/ml protein concentration, was diluted 1/1 with Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatogaphy (HIC) buffer (50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0/1.7 M (NH₄)₂SO₄/0.04% sodium azide), exchanged into HIC buffer (PD-10 columns; Pharmacia). Portions (10 ml) were applied to a column (10×5 cm diameter, 200 ml) of PhenylSepharose™ high performance HIC gel (Pharmacia) and separated using a gradient of reducing ammonium sulphate (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration (1.7-0.0 M) at 10 ml/min. Fractions (10 ml) were collected and assayed for xylanase activity.

HIC gave two major peaks of xylanase activity. The first, named A, eluted from the column when the (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration was reduced to about 0.6 M, while the second, named B, eluted at about 0.25 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration. Fractions comprising peaks A and B from each injection were pooled separately. In total fraction A corresponded to 2.8% of the total xylanase activity whilst fraction B corresponded to 97.2% of the total xylanase activity. The yield was 77%.

Ion-Exchange Chromatography

Pooled fractions for peak A and B from HIC were precipitated by increasing the (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration to 100% saturation followed by centrifugation 10,000×g for 30 minutes). Pellets were redissolved in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0/0.04% sodium azide and desalted to the same buffer using PD-10 columns. Samples (5 ml) were applied to a MonoQ™ HR 10/10 anion-exchange column (Pharmacia) previously equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0/0.04% sodium azide and eluted at 2 ml/min with increasing concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl 0-1 M) in the same buffer. Fractions (2 ml) were collected and assayed for xylanase activity.

Peak A

Separation of peak A by anion-exchange chromatography gave a single peak of xylanase activity which eluted at about 0.3M NaCl. The most active fractions were pooled and analysed by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). This showed a single major band of molecular weight 48 kDa. Recovery of xylanase activity after IEF (isoelectric focusing) confirmed that this major Coomassie-stained band was a xylanase.

Peak B

Separation of peak B by anion-exchange chromatography gave two major peaks of xylanase activity, one of which eluted in the void (unbound material; peak B-I) and the other at 0.1 M NaCl (peak B-II). There were also two minor peaks eluting at 0.13 M and 0.19 M NaCl. The active fractions corresponding to each peak were pooled and analysed by SDS-PAGE, but none of the samples were pure.

Gel Filtration Chromatography

Pooled fractions comprising B-I and B-II were freeze dried, redissolved in water, and desalted (using PD-10 columns). Samples (0.2 ml) were applied to a Superdex™ 75 HR column (Pharmacia) and eluted at 0.4 ml/minute with 20 mM Bis-Tris buffer, pH 6.0/0.2 M NaCl/0.04% sodium azide. Fractions (0.4 ml) were collected and assayed for xylanase activity.

3.2. Properties of Xylanases

3.2.1 Isoelectric Point by Isoelectric Focusing

Isoelectric points of proteins are determined by standard methods using pre-cast vertical 5% polyacrylamide gels from NOVEX® for pH 3-10 and pH 3-7. NOVEX® cathode, anode and IEF sample buffers, and standard protocol for isoelectric focusing, fixing, staining with Coomassie R-250 Blue Stain, and destaining are used.

For xylanase A, a sample following MonoQ was used. For xylanases B-I and B-II, a sample following HIC, xylanase B, was used. For each of A and B, a small sample (10 μl) was loaded into a single well and a large sample (50 μl) was loaded into a triple well. After focussing the samples, the gel was cut in half such that one half contained the two small samples (A+B) and the molecular weight markers (this half was stained with Coomassie), while the other half contained the two large samples. The gel half containing the large samples was cut to separate the two samples lanes, and subsequently each lane was fractionated into 2 mm pieces. Each 2 mm piece was soaked separately overnight in 100 mM MOPS buffer, pH 6.0/0.04% sodium azide. Fractions were assayed for xylanase activity.

For xylanase sample A, the stained IEF gel showed a single major band of pI 3.55 marker and a few minor contaminating bands. Xylanase activity was found only in the fraction corresponding to this band, confirming the xylanase major band.

For xylanase sample B, the stained IEF gel indicates several bands over a range of pI values. Xylanase activity occurred in two separated fractions of the unstained gel, and corresponding to proteins of pI 4.2 and 4.8.

3.2.2 Molecular Weight by SDS-PAGE

To confirm the molecular weights of xylanases in peak B from HIC, the fractions with xylanase activity eluted from the IEF gel were desalted, freeze-dried, and separated by SDS-PAGE. Denaturing PAGE was performed using 10% Tris-glycine gels (NOVEX®) with dithiothreitol (DTT 50 mM) included in the sample buffer as a reducing agent.

The stained gel indicated that both xylanases were pure, with molecular weights of 36 kDa and 15 kDa for xylanase B-I and xylanase B-II respectively.

All three purified xylanases were subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis, xylanase A fraction after anion-exchange chromatography, xylanase B-I and B-II fractions after gel filtration chromatography. Xylanase A gave a single band of molecular weight 48 kDa. Xylanase B-I gave one major and four minor bands after Coomassie staining. The major band was confirmed as the xylanase since it was of molecular weight 36 kDa. The purity is estimated at 90%. Xylanase B-II gave a major band of molecular weight 15 kDa and 2-3 minor bands. This xylanase is approximately 95% pure.

Sample M.W. (kDa) P.I. Xylanase A 48 3.55 Xylanase B-I 36 4.20 Xylanase B-II 15 4.80 3.2.3 Enzyme Activity

The tests for enzyme activity measurement are described previously.

3.2.3.1 Analysis of Xylanase A

[Protein] 0.4 (mg/ml)

Enzyme activity Enzyme assay method pH (u/ml) (u/mg protein) Cellulase 5.0 <1.0 n/a (DNS CMC method) [1.1] Cellobiohydrolase 5.0 <0.1 n/a (p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside method) [1.2] Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase 5.0 <1.0 n/a (DNS barley β-glucan method) [1.4] Laminarinase 5.0 nd n/a (DNS laminarin method) [1.6] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 5.5 140 350 (DNS birchwood xylan method) [1.7] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 3.5 158 395 (DNS birchwood xylan method) [1.7] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 5.5 152 380 (DNS wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.8] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 3.5 171 429 (DNS wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.8] Endo-1,4-β xylanase 5.5 456 1140 (viscometric wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.9]

-   nd not determined -   n/a not applicable

Xylanase activity on birchwood xylan vs pH

ENZYME ACTIVITY (% of maximum pH (IU/mg protein) activity) 2.00 294 73 3.00 353 87 3.50 385 95 4.00 405 100 5.00 345 85 5.50 340 84 6.00 302 75 7.00 212 52 3.2.3.2 Analysis of Xylanase B-I

[Protein] 0.096 (mg/ml)

Enzyme activity Enzyme assay method pH (u/ml) (u/mg protein) Cellulase 5.0 26.5 276 (DNS CMC method) [1.1] Cellobiohydrolase 5.0 0.541 5.6 (p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside method) [1.2] Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase 5.0 73.8 769 (DNS barley β-glucan method) [1.4] Laminarinase 5.0 <0.1 n/a (DNS laminarin method) [1.6] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 5.5 51.3 534 (DNS birchwood xylan method) [1.7] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 3.5 83.6 871 (DNS birchwood xylan method) [1.7] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 5.5 93.2 971 (DNS wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.8] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 3.5 143.8 1498 (DNS wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.8] Endo 1,4-β xylanase 5.5 147 1531 (viscometric wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.9]

-   nd not determined -   n/a not applicable

Xylanase activity on birchwood xylan vs pH

ENZYME ACTIVITY (% of maximum pH (IU/mg protein) activity) 2.00 610 70 3.00 755 87 3.50 871 100 4.00 802 92 5.00 567 65 5.50 534 61 6.00 481 55 7.00 404 46 3.2.3.3 Analysis of Xylanase BII

[Protein] 0.165 (mg/ml)

Enzyme activity Enzyme assay method pH (u/ml) (u/mg protein) Cellulase 5.0 <1.0 n/a (DNS CMC method) [1.1] Cellobiohydrolase 5.0 <0.1 n/a (p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobiopyranoside method) [1.2] Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase 5.0 <1.0 n/a (DNS barley β-glucan method) [1.4] Laminarinase 5.0 nd n/a (DNS laminarin method) [1.6] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 5.5 141.9 860 (DNS birchwood xylan method) [1.7] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 3.5 261.0 1582 (DNS birchwood xylan method) [1.7] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 5.5 152.6 925 (DNS wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.8] Endo-1,4-β-xylanase 3.5 267.9 1624 (DNS wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.8] Endo 1,4-β xylanase 5.5 262 1588 (viscometric wheat arabinoxylan method) [1.9] nd not determined n/a not applicable

Xylanase activity on birchwood xylan vs pH

ENZYME ACTIVITY (% of maximum pH (IU/mg protein) activity) 2.00 1374 84 3.00 1523 93 3.50 1582 97 4.00 1630 100 5.00 1093 67 5.50 860 53 6.00 443 27 7.00 156 10 3.2.4 Sequences

One embodiment of the present invention is related to the amino acid and the nucleic acid sequences of the above described proteins or their variants.

For this purpose, the sequences for xylanases were identified from amino acid sequences of purified proteins (xylanase A, xylanase B-I and xylanase B-II) and from comparisons of amino acid and nucleotide sequences of known fungal xylanases.

It is understood for the invention that variants refers to any polypeptide or any protein analog, protein fragment, derived or mutated protein from the native protein or polypeptide and having the same biological functions as the said native protein or polypeptide. Different variants may be exist at natural state. Those variants may be for example allelic variations characterized by differences into the sequence of genes encoding for the said protein or may result from differential splicing or from post-transcriptional modifications. Variants are obtainable by substitution, deletion, addition andlor modification of one or more amino acids. The all modifications are well known and can be performed by any method known of one skilled in the art.

Variants are molecules having for example more affinity for their substrate or having new biological properties.

Another object of the present invention is also the use of the sequences for the expression of the disclosed proteins or polypeptides in host cells of uni- or pluricellular organisms. For this purpose, the said sequences may be comprised into the genome of a vector. The said vector may be a plasmid, a phage or a virus. In hence, another embodiment of the invention is a host isolated cell from uni- or pluricellular organism, transfected or infected by a vector as above described. In a preferred embodiment the host cell is a bacteria.

The use of said vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequence of the disclosed proteins for the expression of said protein in any host cell is another embodiment of the present invention.

3.2.4.1 Sequences of Xylanase C

The production of probes was based on comparisons of amino acid and nucleotide sequences of known fungal xylanases. Conserved regions were identified and used to design PCR primers, whose products would be used to screen a genomic library of Penicillium funiculosum.

Two pairs of degenerate primers were made. The first pair were designed to amplify a 200 bp (approximate) product from a xylanase type B (or type 2) gene. The second pair were designed to amplify a 250 bp product from a xylanase type A (or type 1) gene.

A 258 bp band was produced with primers 3 and 4. After cloning into pGEMT and sequencing this was found to have significant sequence similarity to fungal xylanase type A/1. The plasmid containing the cloned product has been named pPFXYLA.

The complete sequence of xylanase C is shown in FIG. 1 and in SEQ ID NO:1.

3.2.4.2 Sequences of Xylanase BI

The internal amino acid sequence, together with sequence alignments of other fungal cellobiohydrolases were used to design degenerate PCR primers (SEQ ID NO:3 and NO:4). A 290 bp product (SEQ ID NO:5) was amplified and cloned into pGEMT(Promega) to create pGEMTCB2 and sequenced. As shown in FIG. 2, the primer sequences are underlined. This PCR product is currently being used as a probe to screen a Penicillium funiculosum IMI134756 genomic library.

3.2.4.3 Sequences of Xylanase BII

The all sequence of the xylanase BII gene includes 1.3 kb of 5′ untranslated and upstream region and 0.85 kb of 3′ untranslated, a 54 bp intron and 669 bp encoding a 223 amino acid protein .

Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to prove the existence of the 54 bp intron. Total RNA was isolated from mycelia of Penicillium funiculosum IMI-134756 cultures, harvested after 4 days growth on 1% (w/v) oat spelt xylan. Primers were designed to amplify up to 195 bp fragment from messenger RNA (249 bp from genomic DNA) and to 433 bp (487 bp with genomic DNA).

Sequencing of 3 kb at the 3′ end of the plasmid (pPFXYNC2, revealed a gene (designated per A) that contains two putative introns and encodes a polypeptide of approximately 570 amino acids. The polypeptide showed significant sequence similarity to fungal amino acid permeases.

3.2.4.4 Sequence of Xylanase A

The internal sequence of Xylanase A was obtained and is represented by the following amino acid sequence:

AEAINYNQDY (SEQ ID NO:10)

3.3 Properties of Feruloyl Esterases

3.3.1 Purification

It is carried out following the same process as for xylanases.

The enzymes mixture contains at least two distinct feruloyl esterases. One of these (FaeB) has a molecular weight of 38,945-41,051 Da by mass spectrometry (35,450 Da from the primary amino acid sequence and 37 kDa by SDS-PAGE). FaeB has a pl of 4.2, it is a type B feruloyl esterase and is specific for MpCA and Ara₂F substrates (activity against MpCA, MCA, MFA and Ara₂F; but not against MSA and FAXX).

The other feruloyl esterase (FaeA) has a molecular weight of 29 kDa (by SDS-PAGE). FaeA has a pl of 4.65, it is a type A feruloyl esterase and is specific for FAXX and MSA substrates (activity against MSA, MCA, MFA and FAXX but not MPCA Ara₂F).

3.3.2. Isoelectric Point by Isoelectric Focusing

Isoelectric points of proteins are determined by the standard methods. The enzymes mixture was applied as a wide strip (about 20 mm) to an IEF gel and electrophoresed at reduced temperature (5° C.). After focusing and band sharpening, the gel was cut down the middle of the sample lane. One half of the sample lane and the IEF standards were fixed, stained and destained using the standard protocol. The other half lane was cut into 2 mm wide sections and each section soaked overnight in 1 ml of 100 mM MOPS buffer, pH 6.0. Feruloly esterase activity was determined for each section of the gel using MFA, MpCA and MSA as substrates.

Isoelectric points of proteins are determined by the standard methods. The enzymes mixture was applied as a wide strip (about 20 mm) to an IEF gel and electrophoresed at reduced temperature (5° C.). After focusing and band sharpening, the gel was cut down the middle of the sample lane. One half of the sample lane and the IEF standards were fixed, stained and destained using the standard protocol. The other half lane was cut into 2 mm wide sections and each section soaked overnight in 1 ml of 100 mM MOPS buffer, pH 6.0. Feruloyl esterase activity was determined for each section of the gel using MFA, MPCA and MSA as substrates.

3.3.3 Molecular Weight by SDS-PAGE

Molecular weights were analysed by SDS-PAGE using 10% Tris-Glycine gels. SDS-PAGE gels were run, fixed, stained with Coomassie Blue Stain and destained using the standard protocol.

The enzymes mixture contains at least two distinct feruloyl esterases. One corresponding to FaeB (pl 4.2) has a molecular weight of 37 kDa. The other, corresponding to FaeA (pl 4.65) has a molecular weight of 29 kDa.

The molecular weight of FaeB is estimated at 34,450 Da from the primary amino acid sequence. and at 38,945-41,051 Da by mass spectrometry.

3.3.4 Feruloyl Esterase Activity

Assays for feruloyl esterase activity performed on the enzymes mixture using the spectrophotometric method

Activity Substrate (U/ml) (U/g protein) Methyl ferulate MFA (0.1 mM) 0.086 7.9 Methyl caffeate MCA (0.1 mM) 0.111 10.3 Methyl sinapate MSA (0.1 mM) 0.031 2.9 Methyl p-coumarate MpCA (0.1 mM) 0.138 12.7 FAXX (0.05 mM) 0.162 15.0 Ara₂F (0.05 mM) 0.222 20.6

The enzymes mixture contains activity against all the substrates tested. With the methyl esters, activity is highest against MpCA and lowest against MSA. The activities against Ara₂F and FAXX are higher than against the methyl esters which is indicative that the esterase activities are due to true feruloyl esterases and not general esterases or side activities of other cell wall-degrading esterases (e.g. acetyl xylan esterase, pectin esterase).

3.3.5 Sequences

3.3.5.1 Sequence of FEA-A

According to trypsin digests of the purified protein internal amino acid sequences were obtained as shown as following:

-   Sequence 1 (SEQ ID NO:11) -   OYTLTLPSNYNPNK -   Sequence 2 (SEQ ID NO:12) -   AVAVMSGANL -   Sequence 3 (SEQ ID NO:13) -   TEYSG(C/A)DSEHPVWWIAFDGP -   Sequence 4 (SEQ ID NO:14) -   DTFVKDDHCTPTNPPAPAAGSGTHIKYV

Several degenerate PCR primers were designed from amino acid sequences obtained from the purified protein. Many products were cloned into pGEMT(Promega) and sequenced.

A plasmid named pGEMTD19 (180 bp) (FIG. 3) was found by PCR to contain sequence that was recognisable as peptide sequence 4 shown above. As shown in FIG. 3, the primer sequences have been double underlined previously known sequence, singly underlined.

The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of FAE-A are diclosed in SEQ ID NO:7.

3.3.5.2 Sequence of FEA-B

Primers designed from peptide sequence of FAE-B were used to amplify up a probe, that was subsequently used to screen a Penicillium funiculosum genomic library. A 2291 bp clone was isolated and has been sequenced. The gene encoding for a 304 amino acid polypeptide and has one putative intron. The predicted amino acid sequence is shown in FIG. 4 (SEQ ID NO:9) wherein the mature protein (mature protein length=338) is in Bold. This protein comprises two distinct domains separated by a highly glycosylated linker. As shown in FIG. 4, the catalytic domain is in Bold, whereas the binding domain is in Bold double underlined and the linker is represented in dotted Bold line.

The protein is also featured by a putative active site motif (serine=nucleophile) as shown underlined in FIG. 4 with the following Putative catalytic triads:

-   -   (1) S136/D174/H216     -   (2) S136/D220/H276.

The FAE-B protein comprises also a secretion sequence (353) and 10 cysteines.

3.4 Properties of Glucanases

The enzymes mixture was subjected to 2D gel electrophoresis. IEF was carried out using pre-cast vertical 5% polyacrylamide gels from NOVEX® for pH 3-7 (pl performance range 3.0-6.5) in the NOVEX® XCell II™ Mini-Cell. NOVEX® cathode, anode and IEF sample buffers for pH 3-7 and the NOVEX® standard protocol for isoelectric focusing are used. One lane was cut off and electrophoresed in the second dimension using a 10% Laemmli SDS-PAGE gel. A second lane was separated from the gel, cut into 35 fractions, the gel strips soaked in buffer, and fractions assayed for enzyme activity. The third lane was left on the gel, fixed, stained with Coomassie R-250 Blue Stain and destained using the NOVEX® standard protocol.

Significant endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase (DNS barley β-glucan method) and cellulase (DNS CMC method) activities were found in fractions corresponding to proteins with pI 4.2, M.W. 36 kDa and pI 5.4, M.W. 27 kDa. To eliminate Xylanase B-I as being in one of the fractions, the fractions were tested for activity using the DNS birchwood xylan method. No xylanase activity was detected in the fractions corresponding to β-glucanase or cellulase activities.

E. Uses of Enzymes Mixture to Feed Animals

EXAMPLE 1 Evaluation of Enzymes Preparation Produced by Penicillium funiculosum Efficacy on Energy Value (AME_(N)) of Mixed Wheat-Barley Diet in Broilers

The aim is to demonstrate the efficacy of enzymes (activity of β-glucanase: 100 U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U. kg⁻¹) on Apparent Metabolizable Energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AME_(N)) of a diet containing 50% wheat and 22% barley.

Experiences are led on Control and Enzymes Preparation (activity of β-glucanase: 100 U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U. kg⁻¹) using the European Reference Method (Bourdillon et al., 1990) with ad libitum feeding and total excreta collection between 18 and 21 days of age.

a. Material and Methods

Birds: Breed and Breeding Conditions

Day old male Ross broilers are reared in collective battery cages till 12 days of age. They are fed a standard starter diet. At day 12, birds are weighed and equally distributed into 10 individual cages per treatment and were then fed the experimental diets for the adaptation period (minimum 5 days).

Standard temperature and humidity programs are applied. The lighting program is kept constant 23 hours light and 1 hour darkness up to the end of the trial.

Feeds: Birds received a starter diet from day old to 12 days of age and then the experimental feeds.

Experimental Diets

Feeds contained 50% wheat and 22% barley (Table 1.1). Enzymes Preparation was sprayed onto 20 kg of crumbles.

In-feed enzyme recoveries are measured by viscometric method (Sabatier and Fish, 1996).

Measurement of Metabolizable Energy

The balance starts D18 according to the following procedure:

-   -   D 17, birds were fasted overnight;     -   D 18, birds weighing, clean collection trays;     -   D 19, faeces were collected and frozen;     -   D 20, faeces were collected and frozen, overnight fast;     -   D 21, faeces were collected and frozen, birds weighed and refed.

Faeces are then freeze-dried and ground as feed (1 mm, Retsch grinder). Gross energy of feed and excreta are measured on an IKA C5000 adiabatic calorimeter. Protein (N*6.25, Kjeldahl method Z130) and lipid (method Z160) contents are also determined. Correction for nitrogen balance was applied using 18% protein in the weight gain.

b. Results and Discussion

Apparent Metabolisable Energy Corrected for Nitrogen Balance (AME_(N))

Zootechnical performances and Metabolisable Energy are presented Table 1.2. There was no difference in zootechnical performances between treatments.

In growing broilers, Enzymes Preparation improves AME_(N) of a 50% wheat and 22% barley-based diet by 6.2% (+204 kcal/kg DM (Dry Matter)).

Moreover, variability in energy digestibility was decreased from 80 to 62 kcal.kg DM.

This high improvement demonstrates the interest of both activities (xylanase and β-glucanase) produced by Penicillium funiculosum to hydrolysed soluble non starch polysaccharide of wheat and barley.

TABLE 1.1 Main ingredients and analysed characteristics of experimental diets Composition (%) Wheat 50 Barley 22 Canola meal 8 Poultry meal 5 Soybean meal 5 Meat meal 5 Fat 3 Vitamins/minerals 2 Characteristics (%) Control Enzymes DM 89.7 89.6 Crude Protein 20.8 20.7 Fat 5.4 5.6

TABLE 1.2 Effect of Enzymes Preparation produced by Penicillium funiculosum on growth performance and apparent metabolizable energy in broilers receiving a 50% wheat and 22% barley-based diet. Control n = 10 Enzymes n = 10 Dietary Gross Energy (kcal/kg DM) 4609 4651 Body Weight gain (g) 156 ± 19.8  154 ± 22.3 Feed intake (g/day) 104 ± 15.8 99.7 ± 10.1 FCR (g/g) 1.99 ± 0.11  1.95 ± 0.17 Fecal DM (%) 34.7 ± 3.7   35.6 ± 8.3  AME_(N) (kcal/kg DM) 3252 ± 80   3456 ± 62  AME_(N) (kcal/kg) 2913^(a) ± 71.9    3095^(b) ± 55  

EXAMPLE 2 Effect of Enzymes Preparation Produced by Penicillium funiculosum on Feed Digestibility in Wheat-Fed Broilers

The trial was performed to determine the effect of Enzymes Preparation produced by Penicillium funiculosum (activity of β-glucanase: 100 U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U·kg⁻¹) on Apparent Metabolisable Energy (AME), protein and lipid digestibilities in broilers fed a diet containing 54% wheat. The interaction with grinding was also investigated.

-   -   (1) Control 1 (54% ground wheat)     -   (2) Control 1 +Enzymes Preparation (activity of β-glucanase 100         U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U·kg⁻¹)     -   (3) Control 2 (30% whole wheat, 24% ground wheat)     -   (4) Control 2 +Enzymes Preparation (activity of β-glucanase 100         U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U·kg⁻¹)         according to the European Reference method (ad libitum feeding         and total excreta collection from 18 to 21 days of age)         (Bourdillon et al., 1990).         a. Material and Methods         Birds: Breed and Breeding Conditions

Day-old Ross male chicks are reared in collective battery cages up to 12 days of age. They are then transferred to individual battery cages for digestive balance.

Standard temperature and humidity programs are applied. The lighting program was 23 hours light and 1 h darkness up to 8 days of age. It was then modified to 15 h 30 light, 8 h 30 darkness due to a layer trial run in the same building.

Feeds: Birds received a standard starter diet up to 12 days of age and then the experimental feeds.

Experimental Diets

Experimental diets contained 54% wheat. Characteristics are given Table 2.1. Diet composition is reported Table 2.2.

Measurement of Apparent Metabolisable Energy

The balance starts on Day 17 according to the following schedule:

-   -   D 17, birds were fasted overnight;     -   D 18, birds weighing, clean collection trays;     -   D 19, feces were collected and frozen;     -   D 20, feces were collected and frozen, overnight fast;     -   D 21, feces were collected and frozen, birds weighed and refed.

Feces are then freeze-dried and ground as feed (1 mm, Retsch grinder). Gross energy of feed and excreta are measured on an IKA C5000 adiabatic calorimeter. Protein (N*6.25, Kjeldahl method Z130 for feeds and Z135 for feces) and lipid (method Z160) contents are also determined.

An amino acid profile is also performed by HPLC (method Z100 for feeds and Z080 for feces). Phosphorus content of feeds and excreta was measured using the AFNOR method (NFV18-106).

b. Results and Discussion

Apparent Metabolisable Energy (AME)

Growth performance and metabolisable energy data are presented Table 2.3. Performance (weight gain, feed intake), measured over the three day period, did not differ between treatments. AME of the control diet containing 54% ground wheat was 3173 kcal/kg. Metabolisable energy of the diet containing the same total amount of wheat but of which 30% is as whole grain, is increased by 100 kcal/kg compared with the theoretical value. Moreover, variability appreciated by the standard deviation of the different criterions measured is also reduced with whole wheat.

Enzymes produced by Penicillium funiculosum (activity of β-glucanase: 100 U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U·kg⁻¹) enhances metabolisable energy value of a 54% wheat-based diet by +3.4% (122 kcal/kg DM) if all wheat is ground and by +2.7% (101 kcal/kg DM) if 30% of the wheat is included as whole grains.

Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients (Lipids, Proteins and Amino Acids)

When all wheat is ground, apparent lipid and protein digestibilities are increased by 7 and 2.7% respectively, with Enzymes Preparation of Penicillium funiculosum. With part of the wheat as whole grains, the increase is less: +3 and +0.6% respectively, due to an overall enhanced nutrient digestibility. Indeed, nutrient digestibility with control diet containing whole wheat was similar to that of the experimental diet containing only ground wheat but supplemented with Enzymes Preparation.

Enzymes Preparation effects on apparent amino acid digestibility are presented in Table 2.4. The improvement with Enzymes Preparation reaches on average +2.9% with all wheat as ground wheat and +1.1% with whole grains, confirming the effect on apparent protein digestibility.

Apparent Phosphorus Retention and Phosphorus Excretion

Enzymes preparation effect on apparent phosphorus retention is presented Table 2.5. Apparent phosphorus retention is significantly increased with Enzymes Preparation addition: +8.0%. This increase is greater than those observed for the other nutrients (+2.9 to +3.5% depending on the criterion : AME, proteins, lipids, amino acids). Such an increase might thus result from improved nutrient digestibility (direct effect of xylanase and β-glucanase) but also from a better action of the wheat phytase. When hydrolyzing non starch polysaccharides, xylanase and β-glucanase give more accessibility to phytic acid for the endogenous wheat phytase.

This better digestive utilisation of phosphorus thus reduces phosphorus excretion: −8% when expressed as g phosphorus per kg weight gain.

TABLE 2.1 Wheat characteristics (%) % Wheat Dry Matter 86.2 Crude Protein 10.87 Lipids 1.65 β-Glucans 0.77 Pentosans 6.8 Relative Viscosity pH = 4.5:1.34 (mPa.s) pH = 1.5:1.29

TABLE 2.2 Composition and Characteristics of experimental diets Diet ground wheat whole wheat Composition (%) Ground wheat 53.84 23.84 Whole wheat 0 30.0 Animal Fat 3.52 3.52 Soybean meal 48 18.26 18.26 Meat & Bone Meal 5.64 5.64 Pea 7.0 7.0 Whole Rapeseed 10.0 10.0 vitamins/minerals 1.74 1.74 Characteristics (%) ME (kcal/kg) 3173 3.188 Protein 20.6 20.5 Fat 9.6 9.6 Lysine 1.05 1.04 Methionine 0.45 0.45 Met + Cys 0.85 0.85 Calcium 0.90 0.90 Available P 0.35 0.35

TABLE 2.3 Effect of Enzymes Preparation (activity of β-glucanase: 100 U.kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U.kg⁻¹) on AME of a wheat-based diet (54% ground wheat or 24% ground + 30% whole wheat) in growing broilers. Diets 2 4 1 Ground wheat + 3 Whole wheat + Ground wheat Enzymes Whole wheat Enzymes Weight Gain (g)  172 ± 11.8  170 ± 13.1  167 ± 8.9  165 ± 12.0 Feed Intake (g)  282 ± 20.5  272 ± 17.2   274 ± 15.5  267 ± 14.0 Daily Feed intake (g/day)  94 ± 6.8  91 ± 5.7   91 ± 5.2  89 ± 4.7 FCR³ (g/g) 1.64 ± 0.05 1.60 ± 0.06  1.64 ± 0.05 1.63 ± 0.09 Apparent Protein Digestibility   83.8 ± 1.08^(a)  85.9 ± 1.14^(b)   86.5 ± 0.77^(bc)     87.0 ± 0.80^(c) (%) Apparent Lipid Digestibility (%) 82.2 ± 2.5^(a)    88.0 ± 2.1^(bc)     86.6 ± 2.45^(b)   89.2 ± 1.25^(c) AME (kcal/kg DM) 3577 ± 76^(a)   3699 ± 85^(b)     3678 ± 35^(b)  3779 ± 34^(c)   (kcal/kg) 3194 ± 67  3303 ± 76  3284 ± 31  3375 ± 31  ¹one-way analysis of variance. diet effect, n = 47; a, b: values followed with the same superscript letters do not differ at p < 0.05. ²two-way analysis of variance, n = 47 (wheat: 54% ground or 24% ground + 30% whole; enz: without or with 0.2 l/t Xylan). ³FCR: Feed Conversion Ratio (g feed:g gain)

TABLE 2.4 Effect of Enzymes Preparation on apparent digestibility of amino acids (%) of a 54% wheat based diet in growing broilers (one sample of mixed excreta per treatment) Ground Wheat Ground + Whole Wheat Enzymes Enzymes Témoin Preparation Témoin Preparation Nitrogen 83.4 85.3 86.4 87.1 ASP 78.6 80.9 82.1 82.7 THR 74.2 75.3 78.0 79.9 SER 79.5 82.1 83.0 83.3 GLU 87.9 89.6 80.7 91.4 PRO 84.8 87.1 87.7 88.7 GLY 77.1 79.9 80.7 82.0 ALA 74.6 76.9 78.2 80.1 VAL 78.6 80.8 81.8 83.0 ILE 80.6 83.0 84.0 85.0 LEU 82.1 84.3 85.3 86.4 TYR 80.9 85.0 83.7 84.4 PHE 83.7 85.9 87.1 87.6 LYS 80.6 83.1 83.9 84.8 HIS 81.7 84.9 85.0 86.0 ARG 84.9 87.6 88.1 89.0 CYS 70.8 72.8 76.5 77.0 MET 87.2 88.5 88.5 89.4 TRP 79.5 82.7 83.3 84.7

TABLE 2.5 Effect of Enzymes Preparation on phosphorus (P) excretion and apparent retention of phosphorus of wheat-based diet (54% ground wheat) in growing broilers (n = 12) Diets 2 1 Wheat - Enzymes Enzyme Wheat preparation effect p Apparent P Retention (%) 37.9 ± 3.0 40.5 ± 2.8 0.047 Excreted P (g/birdl/3 days)   1.24 ± 0.13 1.14 ± 0.1 0.071 P Excretion (g/kg gain)  7.2 ± 0.5  6.7 ± 0.5 0.034

EXAMPLE 3 Evaluation of Enzymes Preparation on AME_(N)of a Wheat Based Diet in Growing Turkeys

The aim of this assay is to demonstrate the efficacy of Enzymes Preparation from Penicillium funiculosum (activity of β-glucanase : 100 U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U·kg⁻¹) on Apparent Metabolizable Energy (AME) of a wheat-based diet according to the following experimental design

-   -   (1) Control     -   (2) EP 1: Enzymes Preparation (activity of β-glucanase 100         U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase :1100 U·kg⁻¹);     -   (3) EP 2: Enzymes Preparation (activity of β-glucanase 150         U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase 1650 U·kg⁻¹);         using the European Reference Method (Bourdillon et al., 1990)         with ad libitum feeding and total excreta collection between 33         and 37 days of age.         a. Material and Methods         Birds: Breed and Breeding Conditions

Day old male BUT9 turkeys were reared in collective battery cages up to 20 days of age. They were then transferred to individual battery cages for the digestibility balance after an adaptation period of at least 7 days.

Standard temperature and humidity programmes were applied. The lighting program was kept constant 23 hours light and 1 hour darkness for the 2 first weeks and then reduced to 15 hours light for 9 hours darkness up to the end of the trial.

Feeds: Birds received a standard complete starter diet from day-old to 21 days of age and then the experimental feeds.

Experimental Diets

Feeds contained 47% wheat and 33% soybean meal (Table 3.1). Enzyme spraying was done in on 20 kg pellets of control diets.

Measurement of Metabolizable Energy

At D 21, birds were weighed and equally distributed in 10 individual cages per treatment and were then fed the experimental diets.

The balance starts D 33 according to the following procedure

-   -   D 32, birds were fasted overnight;     -   D 33, birds weighing, clean collection trays;     -   D 34 and D 35, feces were collected and frozen;     -   D 36, feces were collected and frozen, overnight fast;     -   D 37, feces were collected and frozen, birds weighed and refed.         Feces are then freeze-dried and ground as feed (1 mm, Retsch         grinder). Gross energy of feed and excreta are measured on an         IKA C5000 adiabatic calorimeter.

The AME is corrected for N balance by taking into account the body weight gain (g) and its nitrogen content (21% crude protein).

Feces are then freeze-dried and ground as feed (1 mm, Retsch grinder). Gross energy of feed and excreta are measured on an IKA C5000 adiabatic calorimeter. Protein (N*6.25, Kjeldahl method Z130 for feeds and Z135 for feces) is also determined and an amino acid profile performed by HPLC (method Z100 for feeds and Z080 for feces).

b. Results and Discussion

Apparent Metabolisable Energy (AME)

Zootechnical performances and Metabolisable Energy are presented Table 3.2. There was no significant difference in growing performance during the balance between treatments.

In growing turkeys, Enzymes Preparation improves AME_(N)of a wheat-based diet by 2.2 and 5.4% for EP 1 and EP 2 respectively.

The high improvement observed demonstrates the interest of both activities (xylanase and β-glucanase) contained in Enzyme Preparation to hydrolysed non starch polysaccharide of wheat for improving energy value of this cereal in growing turkeys.

TABLE 3.1 Main ingredients and analysed characteristics of experimental diets Composition (%) Wheat 47.55 Extruded soybean 5.00 Soybean meal 33.00 Meat meal 6.00 Fat 4.00 DiCalcium Phosphate 2.30 CaCO₃ 0.85 Vitamins/minerals 1.30 Characteristics (%) Control EP1 EP2 DM 89.0 89.1 88.9 Crude Protein 26.3 26.1 26.3 Fat 6.4

TABLE 3.2 Effect of Enzymes Preparation on apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AME_(N)) of a wheat-based diet in growing turkeys (32 to 37 days). (means ± SD) probability¹ Control EP 1 EP 2 enzyme dose n = 12 n = 12 n = 12 effect effect Gross Energy (kcal/kg DM) 4659 4680 4654 Body Weight gain (g) 341 ± 23 338 ± 36 337.5 ± 57  NS NS Feed intake (g/day)  111 ± 5.9  107 ± 6.3    103 ± 12.1  NS NS Feed Conversion Ratio (g/g)  1.63 ± 0.09  1.60 ± 0.12   1.59 ± 0.17 NS NS Fecal DM (%) 26.1 ± 5.5 26.5 ± 2.2  25.9 ± 4.8 NS NS AME_(N) (kcal/kg DM)² 3025 ± 86  3092 ± 56   3191 ± 34  0.037 0.061 AME_(N) (kcal/kg)² 2700 ± 77  2753 ± 50   2840 ± 30  0.037 0.061 ¹One-way analysis of variance: Enzyme effect: n = 60, a,b: means not followed by the same letter are significantly different at p < 0.05; Dose effect: 0, 0.2, 0.3 l/t. ²Mean ± SEM

EXAMPLE 4 Evaluation of Enzymes Preparation Produced by Penicillium funiculosum Efficacy of Wheat-Based Complete Feed Diet in Growing Pigs

The objective is to evaluate the effect of enzyme supplementation of wheat-based diets on energy digestion in the small intestine of growing pigs. Enzymes Preparation normal level activity is 1100 U·kg⁻¹ for xylanase and 100 U·kg⁻¹ for β-glucanase.

a. Material and Methods

Animals

The treatments were tested according to a Latin square design with three diets and three periods and two pigs per diet* period. The diets were fed at fixed levels according to weight of pig throughout the period of the test.

Experimental Diet

A diet based on poor quality wheat and balanced with other typical feed ingredients was fed to six growing pigs (see table 4.1.). The diet was fed either:

-   1. Unsupplemented (basal); -   2. Supplemented (1): with Enzymes Preparation at 1× level (activity     of β-glucanase 100 U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase: 1100 U·kg⁻¹) -   3. Supplemented (2): with Enzymes Preparation at 2× level (activity     of β-glucanase 200 U·kg⁻¹ and activity of xylanase : 2200 U·kg⁻¹);     Accurate dosing of the diet was achieved by diluting the Enzymes     Preparation with corn starch to create a premix which was then added     to the diet as appropriate.     Sample Collection

Ileal juices were collected for a period of 48 hours each week according to standard procedures at the RPNA laboratories. A sample of the ileal juice and of the test diets were analysed for energy by bomb calorimetry by Sanders to determine digestible energy. Aliquots of the samples were stored for further analysis if necessary.

Statistical Analysis

Digestibility of the crude energy was calculated from the results of the bomb calorimetry of the ileal juices, feed and feed intakes. Analysis of variance was undertaken on the digestibility calculations.

TABLE 4.1 Ingredient and nutrient specification of the basal diet Percentage inclusion Ingredients Wheat 60.0 Barley 9.7 Peas 11.4 Fish meal 5.0 Sunflower meal (30) 10.0 Lysine 0.15 Minerals and vitamins 3.75 Total 100.0 Nutrients Protein 14.9 Dry matter 84.9 Digestible Energy (kcal/kg) 3150 Fibre 5.1 Dig. lysine 0.8 b. Results and Discussion

The xylanase supplementation of diets of pigs increased the energy digestibility by at least six percent. This indicates that the enzyme is increasing the breakdown of the raw material cell walls (in particular, wheat) and the release of additional energy in the small intestine.

TABLE 4.2 Effect of Enzyme Preparation supplementation of Wheat-based diets on the energy digestibility of feeds given to growing pigs. Unsupplemented treatment Supplemented (1) Supplemented (2) p value Mean (%) 70.1 74.5 75.6 <0.001 Energy digestibility 0.80 0.49 0.45 % improvement 6.27 7.87

EXAMPLE 5 Effect of Enzymes Preparation Produced by Penicillium funiculosum on Performance of Straw, Corn Silage, Hay and Grass Silage Diets in Ruminants

HFT test (Hohenheimer Futterwertesten, Menke et al., 1979, 1988) is an in vitro incubation test allowing the measure of raw material degradation through the gas volume produced by the fermentation of these feedstuffs in a buffered rumen juice.

a. Material and Methods

200 mg of dried and ground substrate is incubated with 10 ml of rumen juice plus 20 ml of buffer in syringes which are gently agitated on a rotor in a temperature controled incubator (39° C.). Volume of gas produced are registred at 24 hours. Blank (without substrate), standard hay control and standard concentrate control (with known value of net gas volume production) are used to correct the results and calculate a net volume of gas produced in 24 hours. The energy value and OMD (Organic Matter Digestibility) of substrates are calculated using volume of gas produced in 24 hours and predictor equations proposed by Menke et al. (1988).

Rumen juice is collected on 2 dry cows, rumen canulated and fed at 8 a.m. and 7 pm with a ration composed with 6 kg hay and 2 kg concentrate (ratio 75/25). Rumen juice collect is realized just before a.m. feeding. Rumen juice is filtered to avoid alimentary particles passage and is maintained in strict anaerobic conditions.

The aim of this trial was to test the effect of Enzymes Preparation application on the forage 15 hours before HFT incubation.

Pretreatment with Enzymes Preparation: the enzyme solution is sprayed on the forage on the floor on straw, corn silage, hay and grass silage. Spraying is realized with 1 ml of Enzymes Preparation onto 2 kg forage dry matter. Forage at the edge (about 10 cm) is rejected to improve the homogeneity of the sample. After treatment, the forage is mixed by hand and left at room temperature for 15 hours after spraying. HFT incubation is carried out after 15 hours Enzymes Preparation contact through one series and 6 replicates per treatment.

b. Results and Discussion

Net gas volume production at 24 hours is given in the table 5.1 for straw, corn silage, hay and grass silage.

Application of cellulase on straw through pretreatment gives a 18% net volume of gas improvement vs. control. For corn silage, this improvement is 8%, for hay, 9,5,% and for grass silage 9%.

OMD is given in the table 5.2. for the different forage before and after pretreatment.

OM digestibility is respectively improved for straw, corn silage, hay and grass silage vs. control : 8,5% straw, 5% corn silage, 5,4% hay and 5% grass silage.

15 hours pretreatment of forages (straw, corn silage, hay, grass silage) with Enzyme Preparation improves intensity of rumen substrate incubation and OM digestibility of substrate.

TABLE 5.1 Net gas volume production at 24 hours NET GAS VOLUME (at RAW MATERIAL TREATMENT 24 hours) Stat Sign STRAW Control 25 S (p < 0.05) Cellulase 29.5 CORN SILAGE Control 53.7 S (p < 0.05) Cellulase 57.8 HAY Control 39.5    (p < 0.08) Cellulase 43.1 GRASS SILAGE Control 43.7    (p < 0.08) Cellulase 47.7

TABLE 5 OMD RAW MATERIAL TREATMENT OMD σ Stat sign STRAW Control 47.0 0.67 S (p < 0.05) Cellulase 51.0 2.37 CORN SILAGE Control 70.7 0.91 S (p < 0.05) Cellulase 74.2 2.19 HAY Control 59.7 0.77    p < 0.08 Cellulase 62.9 3.27 GRASS SILAGE Control 70.5 0.72    p < 0.08 Cellulase 74.0 3.46

EXAMPLE 6 Effect of Enzymes Preparation Produced by Penicillium funiculosum on Performance of Wheat or Barley-Fed Layers

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of Enzymes Preparation addition on productive parameters of laying hens fed with wheat or barley-based diets.

a. Material and Methods

Experiment design: 4 treatments×8 replicates×5 cages×3 hens

Treatments: 1. Control 1: 60% wheat

-   -   2. Control 1 +Enzymes Preparation     -   3. Control 2 : 60% barley     -   4. Control 2 +Enzymes Preparation         Animals, Housing and Management

The trial was conducted on four hundred and eighty brown hens of the Hy-Line strain. Each replicate was formed by five pens, with a common feeder, i.e. a total of thirty-two replicates of fifteen birds each.

Distributed in two identical rooms, the replicates had programmable lights and ventilation. The lighting program started with 14 hours of light per day on arrival of hens at 17 weeks of age, increasing every two weeks by 30 minutes. up to a maximum of 17 hours of light per day.

Hens were 22 weeks old at the beginning of the experiment, that lasted during the first five months of laying period.

Diets and Feeding

There were two experimental diets based on 60% of wheat (diet 1) and 60% of barley (diet2), and 10% of sunflower meal. Their composition is shown in Table 6.1. Cereals characteristics are presented Table 6.2.

Controls

Chemical Analysis:

Feed Samples

Quality control of experimental feeds was performed by analyzing dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and ash.

Xylanase activity (T-1, T-2) and β-glucanase activity (T-3, T-4) were determined in mash feeds.

Measurements

Feed consumption and feed efficiency were recorded every four weeks. Hens were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Egg production, egg weight and percentage of dirty and faulty eggs were recorded daily, during five periods of four weeks each. Mortality was checked and recorded daily, including the cause of death.

b. Results and Discussion

Performance Trial

The productive parameters obtained during the trial are shown in Tables 6.3 to 6.5. In the first two periods (from week 22 to 30) and in the overall experiment the percentage of dirty eggs was statistically affected by treatment (P>0.005). Animals fed wheat diet without enzyme produced more dirty eggs. Statistically significant differences between treatments were found in egg laying percentage (P>0.05) and in egg weight (P>0.005) from second period to the end of experiment. Animals fed barley diets presented higher egg laying percentage and produced heavier eggs than animals fed wheat diets. Enzymes Preparation seem to increase these parameters but not significantly at 0.05 level of probability.

In all experimental periods, feed intake of animals from treatments T-3 and T-4 (barley diets) was higher than consumption of animals fed wheat diets, due to the energy levels of both diets (barley diets were formulated at 2600 kcal/kg of energy while wheat diets contained 2800 kcal/kg). Taking into account the different energy values of both types of diets and feed consumption of animals, in the overall period all animals presented the same daily energy consumption.

The feed efficiency (expressed as g feed/g egg) of experimental diets during the first period was very high due to the low egg laying rate of hens during this period of time. In the first two periods, feed efficiency for wheat treatments was better than those obtained with barley treatments; but in third period, when highest egg laying percentages were recorded, both types of diets presented similar efficiencies. From week 34 to the end of experiment, barley diets presented better feed efficiencies than treatments with wheat. Enzyme tends to improve feed efficiency (P>0.05). In the overall period β-glucanase improved feed efficiency of barley diet (with a P=0.066).

Table 6.4 shows that wheat-fed layers supplemented with Enzymes Preparation tend to exhibit higher laying rates (+1.5 absolute points), greater mean egg weight (+0.37 g) and lower Feed Conversion Ratio (−2.7%) than unsupplemented ones.

Table 6.5 shows that Enzyme Preparation addition to barley-fed layers improved laying rate (+4%), mean egg weight (+0.7%) and Feed Conversion Ratio (−5.7%) compared with control barley diets.

TABLE 6.1 Composition of experimental laying diets Ingredient Wheat diet Barley diet Wheat 60.171 — Barley — 59.033 Animal and vegetal fat (30% 4.0 4.0 linoleic acid) Full fat extruded soybean 11.412 10.399 Soybean meal, 48% 3.443 5.705 Sunflower meal, 29% 10.0 10.0 DL-methionine 0.091 0.101 L-lysine HCl 0.111 — Calcium Carbonate 8.595 8.546 Dicalcium phosphate 1.478 1.517 Salt 0.30 0.30 Mineral and vitamins premix* 0.40 0.40 Estimated nutritive value 2800 2600 Metabolizable energy (kcal/kg) Crude protein 16.0 16.41 Crude fat 7.48 7.21 Lysine 0.75 0.76 Methionine 0.35 0.35 Methionine + cysteine 0.67 0.69 Calcium 3.70 3.70 Inorganic phosphorus 0.40 0.40 Sodium/Chloride 0.16/0.27 0.15/0.29 *one kilo of feed contains: Vitamin A 8000UI; Vitamin D3 1600UI; Vitamin E: 5 mg; Vitamin K3: 2 mg; Vitamin B1: 1.5 mg, Vitamin B2: 4 mg; Vitamin B6. 3 mg; Vitamin B12: 11.8 μg; Folic acid: 0.35 mg; Biotin: 150 μg; Calcium Pantothenate: 10 mg; Nicotinic acid: 20 mg; Mn: 30 mg, Zn: 50 mg; I: 0.3 mg; Fe: 50 mg; Cu: 6 mg; Se: 0.1 mg; Etoxiquin: 125 mg.

TABLE 6.2 Analytical composition of cereals Percentage Wheat Barley Parameter (970556) (970287) Moisture 10.65 9.79 Ash 1.57 2.11 Crude fat 1.76 1.98 Crude fibre 2.43 4.61 Crude protein 10.65 10.55 Viscosity (pH 1.5 with inactivation, in cps) 0.78 2.31 Total β-glucans (% DM) 0.66 3.57 Insoluble β-glucans (% DM) 0.50 1.56 Total pentosans 4.91 8.75 Soluble pentosans 0.51 0.39

TABLE 6.3 Productive parameters from 22 to 42 weeks (complete experimental protocol) Feed Animal Egg laying Dirty eggs Faulty Egg Weight Feed efficiency weight Mortality Treatment %¹ % eggs (%) (g) intake (g) (l) gain (g) (%) T-1 75.6b 7.9a  0.8 62.29b 101.5b 2.158 219.8 1.7 T-2 77.1b 6.6ab 1.1 62.66b 101.5b 2.100 222.6 0.8 T-3   78.0ab 5.3b   1.0  63.76a    109.4a   2.203 231.8 2.5 T-4  81.2a   6.6ab 1.0  64.22a    110.0a   2.111 227.7 5.0 1.3 0.4   0.2 0.4   1.5 0.028 16.8 1.4 Treatment   0.0402   0.0039 0.7796  0.0036   0.0003 0.0659 0.9586 0.2645 Effect (P) ¹comparison with a genetically perfect hens (value given by hens supplier). Values are means of eight replicates of 15 hens. Within columns, means followed by a different superscript are significantly different (P < 0.05).

TABLE 6.4 Effect of Xylan on laying performance of wheat-fed layers (in absolute values¹ and percentage² compared with control) Feed Conversion Ratio Weeks Laying rate (%)¹ Egg weight (g)¹ 1 2 22–26 +1.0 −0.3 +0.067 −1.9% 26–30 +1.1 +0.7 −0.098 −4.7 30–34 +1.4 +0.8 −0.039 −2.0 34–38 +2.1 +0.6 −0.039 −2.0 38–42 +2.3 −0.5 −0.042 −2.2 Overall³ +1.5 +2.0% +0.37 +0.6% −0.058 −2.7% ³For the 22–42 week period

TABLE 6.5 Effect of Enzymes Preparation on laying performance of barley-fed layers (in absolute values¹ and percentage² compared with control) Feed Conversion Ratio Weeks Laying rate (%)¹ Egg weight (g)¹ 1 2 22–26 +3.7 +1.0 −0.381 −9.0% 26–30 +3.0 +0.5 −0.137 −6.3 30–34 +1.9 +0.5 −0.015 −0.8 34–38 +3.3 +0.6 −0.067 −3.5 38–42 +0.9 +0.3 −0.082 −4.2 Overall³ +3.2 +4% +0.46 +0.7% −0.092 −5.7% ³For the 22–42 week period

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bourdillon A., Carre B., Conan L., Duperray J., Franscesch M., Fuentes M., Huyghebaert G., Jansen W. M. M. A., Leclercq B., Lessire M., McNab J., Rigoni M., Wiseman J., 1990. European reference method for the in vivo determination of metabolizable energy with adult cockerels: reproducibility, effect of age, comparison with predicted values. British Poultry Science 31, 567-576.

Sabatier A. M., Fish N. M. 1996. Method of analysis for feed enzymes: methodological problems ? Journal of Applied Poultry Research 5, 408-413.

Barrier-Guillot B., Metayer J. P., Bouvarel I., Castaing J., Picard M., Zwick J. L. 1997. Proceedings of the XIth European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, WPSA, August 24-28th Faaborg, Denmark, 237-239.

Svihus B., Herstad O., New man C. W., Newman R. K. 1997. British Poultry Science 38, 524-529. 

1. An isolated Penicillium funiculosum strain deposited as IMI No
 378536. 2. A method of preparing a culture supematant of a Penicillium funiculosum strain, the method comprising: (a) fermenting the strain in a liquid culture medium; (b) removing solids from the medium; and (c) recovering the supernatant, wherein the strain is the Penicillium funiculosum strain deposited as IMI No
 378536. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the removing comprises a filtration process.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising concentrating the supernatant.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the concentrating comprises an ultrafiltration process.
 6. A supernatant obtained by a method comprising: (a) fermenting a Penicillium funiculosum strain in a liquid culture medium; (b) removing solids from the medium; and (c) recovering the supernatant, wherein the strain is the Penicillium funiculosm strain deposited as IMI No
 378536. 7. A composition comprising a culture supernatant of an isolated Penicillium funiculosum strain, wherein the strain is the Penicillium funiculosum strain deposited as IMI No
 378536. 